Detroit moved past the Oakland Athletics in five games in its
ALDS—led by the pitching exploits of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. The dynamic duo will play a major role in which team advances to the Fall
Classic.

The Tigers will be playing in their third consecutive LCS, with
third baseman Miguel Cabrera leading the way offensively. It’s important
to point out that the club scored 11 runs in its last 13 innings against the
Athletics.

MLB handicappers will find that Detroit won four of seven
regular-season meetings against Boston, which provides value for this team in
the betting markets.

The Red Sox have plenty of power in the lineup, but they also know
how to run the bases, as they collected 123 stolen bases during the regular
season.

Designated hitter David Ortiz will try to match Cabrera’s exploits
in the opposite dugout, entering with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs in his
postseason career—both are all-time franchise records in those categories.

Key players

Whichever center fielder plays best in this series will likely
lead his team to victory, as Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury hit .500 and stole four
bases versus the Rays, while Detroit’s Austin Jackson struck out 13 times in 20
at-bats against the Athletics.

The Red Sox hold a clear edge in this matchup entering the series
opener, and I will be backing them with my MLB picks to take this series.